RESUMO
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare disorder characterized by extreme immune activation and excessive inflammation. It has been reported in patients with familial cases, immunodeficiencies, malignancies, stem cell transplants, and viral etiologies. This report describes acquired HLH associated with Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection in a 76-year-old previously healthy male. The patient was admitted to the hospital due to fever, chills, and abdominal pain. The diagnostic workup revealed gallbladder wall thickening on imaging, concerning for cholecystitis. The patient was started on treatment for sepsis. Further clinical deterioration led to an extensive infectious workup. The patient was found to have elevated soluble IL-2Ra levels, and a bone marrow biopsy was performed, which revealed HLH. A positive HHV-6 polymerase chain reaction in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum confirmed the viral infection. Treatment involved the initiation of high-dose steroids, etoposide, and ganciclovir. Despite these interventions, the patient's clinical status worsened, leading to the implementation of comfort measures, and the patient eventually died. This case underscores the importance of considering HHV-6 as a potential cause of HLH in immunocompetent adults. From this case, we infer that a heightened level of vigilance is necessary to recognize and intervene in this challenging condition promptly.
RESUMO
The ampulla of Vater is a small opening located at the point where bile and pancreatic ducts join and empty their secretions into the small intestine. Ampullary cancers are rare but aggressive malignancies that can present with symptoms similar to those of acute pancreatitis, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and obstructive jaundice. Clinicians must rely on a combination of blood tests, imaging, and biopsies to diagnose ampullary cancer, which may be a hidden cause of acute pancreatitis. In this report, we present the case of a 66-year-old female who presented to our hospital with recurrent admissions due to abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The patient was found to have repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis and was later diagnosed with cancer of the ampulla of Vater. This case proved extremely complex and diagnostically challenging.
RESUMO
Peripheral T-cell lymphomas are an offshoot of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and usually carry a poor prognosis. Their clinical manifestations could be very variable and can mimic an infectious or autoimmune etiology. Here, we present a case of a 58-year-old healthy female who presented with fever, cough, and shortness of breath for several days. Imaging studies including chest x-ray and CT scans were suggestive of pleural effusions, mediastinal/retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly. She was initially managed for severe sepsis in the setting of possible community-acquired pneumonia. Later her course of hospitalization was complicated by respiratory failure and needing mechanical ventilation and then extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Multiple biopsies were performed including bone marrow and lymph nodes which were suggestive of peripheral T-cell lymphoma - not otherwise specified. Due to the severity of her illness, palliative discussions were made and the family opted for comfort care.
RESUMO
Primary lung cancer usually presents in older adults with a smoking history. However, there is an estimated incidence of 15-20% among men who have never smoked. The diagnosis of lung malignancy can often be incidental. Moreover, cardiac tamponade can be an initial presentation of malignancy, especially lung cancer, as these are the most common tumors that involve the pericardium. Here, we present a 54-year-old male with no known medical history presented with dyspnea on exertion. He was found to have a large pericardial effusion with tamponade physiology on a bedside echocardiogram. He was also found to have bilateral deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism on admission. The patient underwent an emergent pericardiocentesis due to hemodynamic compromise, and pericardial fluid cytology suggested adenocarcinoma with lung primary. Subsequently, gene testing revealed anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive adenocarcinoma of the lung. The patient was discharged home with close oncology follow-up. It is imperative to recognize malignant pericardial effusion as one of the causes of dyspnea. Emergent pericardiocentesis may be needed in case of hemodynamic compromise and tenuous clinical status.
